X-Men Origins: Wolverine

DVD Rating: **1/2

Reviewed by: Neil Broadfoot

Read Stephen Carty's film review of X-Men Origins: Wolverine
X-Men: Origins
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The special features are, like the film itself, disappointing. Wolverine: Unleashed, The Complete Origins is a brief making of, behind-the-scenes look at the film. It paves the way for the inevitable sequel, with Jackman and producer Lauren Schuler Donner talking about their desire to base the movie on Wolverine's Japanese adventures, but the studio opting for the origin tale instead.

However, among the standard issue "he's so great" tributes from fellow cast members and the production team, there is a fascinating insight into the lengths Jackman went to to play the character "he loves".

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Much has been made of Jackman's physique for the role, and the extraordinary lengths he went to to get into that shape, including a rigorous diet and work-out schedule. But why? As Jackman explains, he didn't just want to people to see him and think he was in good shape, he "wanted [Wolverine] to look scary". And, revealing that he wanted the audience to have the same reaction to Wolverine's physique as they did to Robert DeNiro's pumped up Max Cadey in Cape Fear, Jackman reveals: "I wanted veins popping out everywhere. I wanted the audience to [mock recoils in horror]." And this, perhaps, is the greatest success of the film as Jackman has pumped his way to a truly intimidating physical presence - even without those sideburns.

Also included is a pointless, blink-and-you'll miss it Japanese bar scene. Again, setting the scene for the sequel, this shows Logan looking typically grim-faced in a bar, talking Japanese and "drinking to remember". However, he lacks the mutant ability to make this throwaway scene interesting. The package is rounded out by a digital copy of the film.

Reviewed on: 22 Oct 2009
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X-Men Origins: Wolverine packshot
An exploration of the origins of X-men mutant Wolverine.
Amazon link

Product Code: 3860202000

Region: 2

Ratio: 2.35:1

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1

Extras: Wolverine: Unleashed, The Complete Origins, deleted scenes, Alternate Tag Scene: Japanese Bar Scene, digital copy


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